Litigation & Dispute Resolution
Disputes call for professional advice and prompt action, we have a dedicated and highly experienced team of disputes specialists who aim to resolve disputes as quickly as possible with a practical solution. We support our clients throughout the process and help you to find the right path to a successful resolution.
Our litigators act for business involved in a wide range of disputes from small breach of contract claims to complex arbitration proceedings, with experience handling claims of all values, whether in Court, Tribunal or Arbitration proceedings or through alternative methods such as mediation, conciliation, expert adjudication or negotiation.
The team offers services to both small and large businesses based in Norfolk as well as those with a national presence, operating within numerous different industries which include healthcare, accounting, haulage, offshore oil and gas industries, construction, recycling and education (among many others). The team provides expert advice and assistance in a full range of areas including:
Commercial Disputes
If you have a commercial dispute, our team is able to deal with a full range of matters including commercial contracts, commercial litigation, patents, copyright and intellectual property infringement, passing off, breach of confidence, Injunction proceedings, representative and multi-party actions, construction disputes, defamation and trade libel.
Property Disputes
Our property litigation lawyers service a wide range of clients including local councils, farmers, business owners, landlords and tenants, and can advise you on any issue or dispute relating to land or property ranging from a disagreement with a neighbour to an extremely complex commercial dispute. Areas we specialise in include dilapidations, commercial lease renewals, rent arrears, rights of way, forfeiture, boundary disputes, and landlord & tenant disputes.
Franchising Disputes
Even in the best run franchised business we recognise that disputes can arise. There is much that can be done to avoid disputes arising in the first place and a clear dispute resolution plan and well executed strategy will help to protect the integrity of the franchise business. If disputes do arise, our franchise litigators are experienced in acting swiftly and effectively to protect your company’s interests, conscious always of the need to preserve the good name of the franchise network.
Construction Disputes
The team's expertise includes providing assistance with contract disputes whether standard form contracts such as Joint Contracts Tribunal (JCT), New Engineering Contracts (NEC), Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) or individually negotiated contracts, professional negligence disputes, defects disputes, Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), and Adjudication, including under the Scheme for Construction Contracts.
Agricultural Disputes
If you have an agricultural dispute, our team is able to deal with a full range of matters including farm inheritance disputes, tenancy disputes, rights of way, boundaries, shareholder disputes, nuisance claims and debt recovery.
Regulatory Investigations
Our specialist team represents businesses and individuals facing prosecution by the Health and Safety Executive, Environmental Health, Trading Standards, Department for Business, Enterprise & Regulatory Reform or any other regulatory authority.
Health & Safety
Our team have in-depth knowledge and experience of judicial review proceedings to challenge the lawfulness of a decision or action made by a public body and we can help in dealing with prohibition enforcement and improvement notices. Services include development and implementation of health & safety plans for your business, review of your health and safety policies & procedures, and representing you during an investigation or prosecution by the Health and Safety Executive (“HSE”) or other regulatory authority.
Insolvency & Recovery
Our Insolvency solicitors provide specialist assistance with corporate recovery and turnaround procedures including Company and Partnership Voluntary Arrangements, Voluntary and Compulsory Liquidations and Administrations, advising both office holders and directors. Our expertise also covers director’s disqualification proceedings and defended misfeasance and wrongful trading actions against directors.
Intellectual Property
Subheading: Our IP Team has expertise in defending or challenging of rights and providing advice in connection with all manners of IP related matters including Trade Marks, design rights, counterfeiting, and patents.
Professional Negligence
Sports
Leathes Prior advises a variety of clients in the sporting world such as professional athletes and racing teams. We understand that sporting disputes require unique considerations such as strict regulation, time-sensitive decisions and risk of reputational damage.
Our Team is able to assist with:
Commercial contractual disputes
Disputes involving racing teams and drivers
Disputes regarding crash damage
Intellectual property disputes
Defamation claims
Alleged breaches of rules
Debt Recovery
Effective credit control can mean the difference between success and failure in business. We recommend all businesses makes arrangements so that debts do not arise, by taking payment up front or money on account. However, where this is not commercially possible bad debts can arise, and when they do, we are here to help.
Criminal Defence
We recognise that facing a criminal allegation is one of the most stressful experiences which a person can face. Investigations and prosecutions will take a significant period of time to reach a conclusion. The potential impact of being convicted can be terrifying, both in terms of sentence and the effect upon reputation and employment.
We provide a service which is akin to choosing private health care when you are in need of medical assistance. You will have the reassurance of dealing with the same solicitor throughout your case: a trusted advisor available to speak and meet with at a time and place to suit you.
Get in Touch
What our clients say
After various unsatisfactory dealings with different firms in the area, I was recommended to try Leathes Prior and have found every department I have dealt with has provided nothing short of an excellent service. I have used them now for a number of personal and business affairs and the knowledge, openness and competitive pricing puts them leagues ahead of the local competition. I wouldn't hesitate in using them in the future.
We cannot recommend Leathes Prior Solicitors enough, in particular Polly Langford. Throughout all our dealings with them we have received nothing but an efficient, thorough and impeccable service. Our matter was brought to a swift conclusion in a highly skilled and professional manner. 10/10. If you need a solicitor look no further than Leathes Prior.
I am writing to say that the service provided by Darren Bowen was excellent. His communications and explanations were very clear and I felt well guided by him throughout the dispute.
Thank you for forwarding documentation confirming the positive outcome for my current case in your hands. You have conducted my affairs in a professional and most pleasant and friendly manner. Kind regards and once again, thank you.
I like your style! Thank you for your excellent advice and help. It has been a pleasure to join forces with you and I can assure you that I already have and will continue to recommend you to my acquaintances.
They have a very progressive attitude and, regardless of the problem we present them with, their initial view is always of a reassuring nature.
Remains popular with clients seeking advice on shareholder disputes, directors' duties claims and breach of contract claims.
I think they plainly punch above their weight and are very careful about the processes they put in place.
Mike Barlow, who leads the impressive team of Darren Bowen and rising star David Richards at Leathes Prior, advised a plant-hire business on a claim against accountants who provided corporation tax advice.
Leathes Prior’s excellent quality of service and good value for money attract clients and the team is praised for its practical approach to complex commercial disputes.
Personal and direct Mike Barlow and Polly Langford are very impressive.
Solid and dependable, consistently achieving good results.
Mike Barlow’s Disputes Team at Leathes Prior provides well considered and comprehensive advice. Darren Bowen is authoritative and David Richards simplifies complicated situations.
I have no doubt that without your calm, professional approach to the whole ghastly affair I would have crumbled and the outcome would have been very different. I can never thank you enough. You saved my sanity and I am forever indebted.
Punch above their weight. The lawyers put the clients first and give clear, pragmatic and practical advice.
Leathes Prior’s Mike Barlow is efficient and responsible, providing sensible commercial advice, and Darren Bowen doesn't miss any points and gives excellent advice.
This Norwich-based team continues to impress and adds growing expertise in agribusiness and the construction industry to its existing corporate and commercial know-how.
Many thanks for the excellent work you have done in resolving our recent tenancy issue. It was conducted in a very professional manner, plus your advice on the problem was first class. I would have no hesitation in recommending Leathes Prior Solicitors to anyone.
I was very satisfied with the work done for me by Danny Turpin. It was a small traffic claim and could easily have been scorned as not interesting or profitable but Danny took it seriously and was wise and measured in his advice. Having left it to me to decide on what to do, he proceeded promptly and efficiently. This produced a good result. I would instruct him again. Having practiced law myself for many years, I see him as an energetic and effective young man, a credit to the firm we instruct on other matters.
I would just like to say that you have over the past three years on this matter looked after me exceptionally well. Thank you.
A well-respected, commercial litigation practice with a broad coverage. Extensive experience of agriculture, franchising, intellectual property and professional negligence cases with clients ranging from individuals to international corporates. Everyone you deal with there is straightforward.
Chris was amazing. My world was imploding and it was the worst time of my life and Chris was a calm and steady voice that I needed. He was reassuring, super helpful and gave me honest advice. He's also a human being. What I mean by that is he spoke to me like a person and not just a number. Was never pompous or baffling me with long words and legalese.
We struggle to find adequate words to describe how impressed we have been with the professional yet extremely friendly service we have experienced from you both. You have always been calming and friendly ears both via email and phone. Nothing has been too much trouble. We do, and will continue to sing your praises to family, friends and colleagues and recommend your services, you are both a credit to Leathes Prior.
We can not thank Darren enough for the way he handled our claim. He was an extremely calming influence and led us through every step of the way with the upmost respect and trust. We would highly recommend using Darren and indeed Leathes Prior in general and we are grateful for their professionalism and hard work.
It’s been a pleasure working with you both and others at Leathes Prior over the years, your wealth of expertise and excellent service has been greatly appreciated.
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Spring Statement 2026 - An Overview
With the Government having restricted itself to one fiscal event a year in the form of the Autumn Budget, the Spring Statement is perhaps not the dramatic moment it used to be. It is more a chance for the Government to respond to events and economic forecasts than to set policy for the future.
Charity of the Month: Sue Lambert Trust
Leathes Prior is delighted to be supporting the Sue Lambert Trust as our Charity of the Month for February 2026. Sue Lambert Trust is a leading charity in Norfolk offering free therapeutic counselling and support services to survivors of sexual violence and abuse.
Supreme Court ruling set to impact NHS - Children injured by NHS can claim damages for lifetime lost earnings
In February 2026, the Supreme Court passed a ruling which is set to significantly increase the amount of damages the NHS may have to pay for claims brought in respect of children injured at birth, as a result of medical negligence.
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The Value of Planning Ahead: LPAs & Court of Protection
Putting LPAs in place allows you to choose trusted people to make decisions for you if you lose capacity in the future. This avoids the need for loved ones to make a costly and time-consuming deputyship application to the Court of Protection. With more people likely to experience conditions affecting capacity, more families may need to turn to the Court for support where no LPAs are in place.
The case of the fake cases: another judgment on AI-hallucinations in litigation
The use of AI Large Language Models in litigation continues to generate headlines (and consternation from the judiciary). In 2025, it seemed that rarely a month went by without a new case on fake AI-generated case law. December was no exception, and the High Court has now issued a further warning regarding the use of AI by litigants.
Autumn Budget 2025: Agricultural Property Relief & Business Property Relief Changes
It was announced in the 2025 Budget that from 6 April 2026, changes will be made to agricultural property relief and business property relief. These changes bring APR and BPR in line with the nil-rate band rules, meaning unused allowances can be transferred to a surviving spouse or civil partner. This is a significant step towards making estate planning easier for families who own farms or businesses.
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The Employment Rights Act 2025 is expected to come into force tomorrow (18 December 2025)
After an extended period of back-and-forth amendments between Parliament and the House of Lords, on 16 December 2025, the ERB finally received approval from the House of Lords, with the formality of Royal Assent due to take place tomorrow (18 December 2025). Head of LP Employment, Dan Chapman, explains...
Charity of the Month: The Matthew Project
Leathes Prior is delighted to be supporting The Matthew Project as our Charity of the Month for December 2025. The Matthew Project supports young people and adults across Norfolk, Suffolk, and Essex to overcome issues around drugs, alcohol, and mental health, empowering them to rebuild confidence and lead fulfilling lives.
Leathes Prior’s Milan Pandit appointed President of the Norfolk & Norwich Law Society
Leathes Prior Solicitors is proud to announce that Milan Pandit, Solicitor in our Corporate & Commercial Team, has been appointed President of the Norfolk & Norwich Law Society (NNLS) for 2025/26.
Commercial Lease Renewals: A guide for Landlords & Tenants
Commercial lease renewals are a topic that every commercial landlord and business that rents commercial premises should have at the forefront of their minds. It is essential for good succession planning, though it is often neglected until the expiry of an existing lease term is looming or once the existing term has come to an end and the tenant is holding over. In this article, our newly qualified solicitor, Maggie Berry explores the process that landlords and tenants can expect when navigating this complex area of law.
Our Guidance, Your Legacy: What is a Will, and why should I make one?
Not only is a Will one of the most important steps you can take to protect your loved ones and ensure your wishes are respected, but it also limits the likelihood of a claim/dispute following your death. To ensure your loved ones and the causes you care about benefit from your estate, a Will is essential to ensuring this happens. Find out more in this article.
Lease extensions: The essentials to getting started
Extending your lease can seem complex, but taking the right steps early can make the process much smoother. Jake Mowatt, Associate and Harry Smith, Trainee Solicitor in our Residential Property Team outlines the key essentials every leaseholder should understand prior to extending their lease.
